After his star showing against Newcastle United on New Year’s Day, no player has scored more Premier League goals or registered more top-flight assists this season than Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are currently three points clear at the top of the table and are looking like genuine title contenders after they endured a difficult campaign last season.
Salah – once again – has been instrumental in the Reds brilliant form but the 31-year old could now be missing until mid-February owing to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
This of course, is not unusual for Salah or Klopp but how did the Reds fare the last time the Egyptian king was away with the Pharaoh’s at the 2021 tournament?
Liverpool’s AFCON Schedule
Liverpool’s schedule during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is slightly more action-packed than some of their rivals. They have at least three domestic cup games as well as Premier League fixtures to contend with.
All in all, Mohamed Salah could miss up to eight club matches for the Reds which if truth be told, could go a long way in making or breaking their season.
First up this weekend is a trip to the Emirates to take on Arsenal in the FA Cup 3rd round. Three days later, Liverpool are back in action as they take on Fulham at Anfield in the EFL Cup semi-final 1st leg.
The first league fixture without Salah comes on 21st January as the Reds take on Bournemouth on the south coast. Three days after that, they are in west London for the second-leg against the Cottagers.
If Klopp’s side get the better of the Gunners in the FA Cup, they’ll entertain the 4th round tie on the 27th of January before welcoming Chelsea to Merseyside.
The first two fixtures in February see Liverpool face Mikel Arteta’s side again before finishing off against Vincent Kompany’s Burnley.
Mo Salah in the Premier League this season…
🥇 Most goal involvements: 22
🥇 Most goals: 14
🥇 Most assists: 8
🥇 Most touches in opposition box: 163
🥇 Most open-play chances created: 46
🥇 Most shots on target: 33
🥇 Most big chances created: 17
🥇 Most big chances scored:… pic.twitter.com/QM7TyEVn5O— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 2, 2024
Liverpool Without Salah
The last time Mohamed Salah was away with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, Liverpool didn’t lose a single game. This will of course, will bring hope to Reds supporters.
In 2022, the first game without Salah saw the Merseysiders brush aside Shrewsbury Town 4-1 in the FA Cup 3rd round before drawing 0-0 with Arsenal in the first-leg of the EFL Cup semi-final.
Brentford were defeated 3-0 at Anfield in the first Premier League fixture without Salah before they beat the Gunners 2-0 in the EFL Cup semi-final second-leg.
A 3-1 victory followed against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park before back-to-back wins against Cardiff in the FA Cup (3-1) and Leicester in the league (2-0).
It wasn’t just Salah who was absent either. Sadio Mane was on AFCON duty with Senegal (who got to the final) as was Naby Keïta with Guinea.
The omen is certainly looking good if history is anything to go by but only time – and results – will determine if Jurgen Klopp’s side are going to feel the loss of their star man.
NOTE: Take a look at our Premier League team-by-team guide of every player who will be at the 2023 AFCON.
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